CHAPTER IV.

"I LAY on my straw, but I could not sleep. I
thought of the occurrences of the day. What chiefly struck me was
the gentle manners of these people; and I longed to join them,
but dared not. I remembered too well the treatment I had suffered
the night before from the barbarous villagers, and resolved,
whatever course of conduct I might hereafter think it right to
pursue, that for the present I
would remain quietly in my hovel, watching, and endeavouring
to discover the motives which influenced their actions.

"The cottagers arose the next morning before the sun. The young
woman arranged the cottage, and prepared the food; and the youth
departed after the first meal.

"This day was passed in the same routine as that which preceded
it. The young man was constantly employed out of doors, and the
girl in various laborious occupations within. The old man, whom I
soon perceived to be blind, employed his leisure hours on his
instrument, or in contemplation. Nothing could exceed the love and respect which the
younger cottagers exhibited towards their venerable companion.
They performed towards him every little office of affection and
duty with gentleness; and he rewarded them by his benevolent
smiles.